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In his “Bar Tripping” column, photographer Daniel Krieger travels the world to capture its most unique and photogenic bars. Up now, Lou’s Pub, a Birmingham institution that’s part liquor store, part bar.

On any given night in Birmingham’s Lakeview neighborhood, where there is neither lake nor view, you’ll find Miss O popping beers and pouring whiskey for a cadre of regulars at Lou’s Pub. “What’ll you have, hun?” she says in her gentle way, gray hair pulled back into a tidy ponytail. Like any great neighborhood bar, Lou’s trades in local characters, a know-you-by-name atmosphere and bartenders with a cult-like following. Unlike most neighborhood bars, however, Lou’s is also a package store (Southern for “liquor store”)—an anomaly in blue-law-laden Alabama. Opposite the copper-topped bar, all along the right wall under a neon row of Pabst and Coors signs, you’ll find a solid selection of bourbon, hard-to-find rums and enough bitters and Fernet to make a mustache curl.

Louis Zaden opened Lou’s in 1987. It took him a year to stock the retail side, buying an extra case of vodka here, some gin there, until the shelves were full. Birminghamians would stop in after work for a drink, a dose of Lou’s sharp wit and a brown bag to go. Lou and his pub were so central to the local routine that when he died in 2008, a block party of mourners turned out and closed down the street. The local Budweiser distributor even sent trucks to give away free beer.

Lou’s Pub & Package Store

I bet you’ve never grabbed a cocktail with friends at a liquor store before. This two in one watering hole is probably one of the only places in Birmingham you can do just that. Lou’s Pub and Package Store gets pretty busy with its unique concept and homey interior and outdoor patio. A cool bar with great patrons equals a good time.